Page 8 of Cartel Cobra

Chapter Three

Luciana

“If that’s what you want.”

I have no idea what Domingo just asked me. I couldn’t care less. He’s been going on about the wedding for the past two days. I swear he’s a fucking bridezilla. Ever sincepapáreassured Domingo and his parents that the wedding would be before the end of the summer, Domingo’s had a one-track mind. He’s been calling and texting, asking me about this arrangement or that. I feel like telling him to just do whatever he wants since he gives a damn, and I don’t.

I sat there through Sunday dinner, waiting forpapáto announce what I assumed he would. But I still struggled not to flinch when he declared the wedding would be within the next three months. It melted the high I was on from Luis’s surprise visit—mamá’sreason to arrive early. It eradicated all the happiness of getting to spend an hour with my big brother. He gets how much I’m dreading an arranged marriage since he has one. But he also gets how different our situations are andthat I’ll never love Domingo the way he does Margherita. They’re fucking soulmates.

Papá’snever said it, but I’m certain he knew Luis and Margherita were destined for each other. The alliance to get Margherita’s father to stop challenging him was just the excuse. I knowmamáresearched everything there was to ever know about the woman.Thenshe agreed topapásuggesting the marriage to Margherita’s father.

I believe they knew my brother and sister-in-law were perfect from the momentmamáheard about her at a cocktail party Margherita’s parents threw. I knowpapádug into Domingo’s background just as thoroughly, but neither he normamáseem as excited as they were for Luis. They pretend well, but I see through it.

“Ana.”

Mierda.

Shit.

“Sorry. I was just remembering Luis and Margherita’s wedding. I loved the flowers she carried. I was trying to remember everything that was in her bouquet.”

I lie like it’s my job. Considering I’m getting into commercial real estate, I’d say I’m well prepared.

“How many men will yourtíobring with him?”

That question rattles me.

“Uh…”

I’m certain I saw Esteban earlier today. I thought I saw him yesterday. I was thinking about him before my mind wandered to Luis and Margherita. He’s why I didn’t hear half of what Domingo’s said so far and why I just keep smiling and nodding. I dreamed about him Sunday night and last night. They were the most Rated X dreams I’ve ever had. I woke up during both nights on the edge of coming. I’m a stomach sleeper, so I groundmy pussy against my mattress, hoping to get myself off while keeping the dream going.

It didn’t work, so I wound up rolling over and getting myself off with my vibrator I keep under my bed. Easy to reach. Domingo travels for work, so sometimes I feel like getting off, and he’s not in town. Sometimes I don’t want to deal with him, but I want an orgasm. Sometimes he just doesn’t do the trick, so I slip into my living room to do it once he’s asleep. I keep the damn thing on the charger twenty-four seven.

“Can you at least name some of the men he’ll bring?” Domingo sounds annoyed, like I should know who works for mytío.

“No. He has men in New York I’ve never heard of or met. He has men down here, but they’re mostly my dad’s and on loan totío. Anyone working directly for him isn’t someone I want to know.”Except for Esteban.

Domingo watches me before shooting me a smile that’s probably supposed to be understanding, but it always makes me feel belittled. Like he’s tolerating a child, not a man agreeing with his future wife. Ever since Sunday night, Domingo’s flaws stand out more. Things that’ve bothered me, but I’ve pushed aside. Things that now make me question what life would be like with him. Doubts are reverberating in my head, and it’s almost deafening. The only time I’m not thinking them is when I’m thinking aboutthat man.

The one I’m certain just entered the restaurant with three other guys I’ve seen around mytío. I dart my gaze to the door, judging how many steps it would take to get me outside. Looking for anything that can keep me out of their sight. It’s not Esteban I want to hide from. It’s the other men. They’re guys who’ve always made me nervous. I don’t like the way they look at Catalina and me.

“Domingo, can we get the check and go?”

“Ready to go home? My place or yours?”

His gaze slides over me, and I know he thinks I want to leave so we can go to bed. It would be a distraction, but it does nothing to excite me. When my gaze locks with Esteban’s, the thought pops into my head that I could picture him while I fuck Domingo. The dreams flood back to me, and that excites me. But the moment I look back at Domingo, the flame’s extinguished. Completely snuffed out.

“I’m exhausted. I didn’t sleep well, so I started my swim early. I doubled the distance I usually do, so I’m wiped now. I really just want to pass out till morning.”

My response displeases him, but he hides it—a moment too late because I saw the flash of anger. I turned him down Sunday night and last night. I’m going to have to relent to avoid an argument, and that blows. I don’t want to be in a relationship where I have to put out to pacify or placate my husband. It feels like giving in to keep the peace.

He signals the waitress and reaches for his wallet. We got into our first argument when I offered to pay for our fifth date. We were pretty much already engaged, but we were doing our best to get to know each other like a normal couple. I felt bad that he was always spending, and I was always taking. I tried to explain that, but I insulted him. He claimed I believed he wasn’t wealthy enough to support us. That I believed he couldn’t afford nice things for me. He refused to believe I did it because I was trying to be nice and show that I was into him.

“I’m going to run to the restroom.”

I push back my chair before he can say anything and grab my purse. If this were a regular shitty date, it might tempt me to slip out the backdoor and go to my sister’s. But I know Matáis is already over there, and I can’t bolt from my fiancé.

“You aren’t having fun,chiquita.”

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